April 5, 2013
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Michigan State Spartans spoiled the Boilermaker softball team's home opener, edging Purdue 3-2 on Friday. Purdue posted at least one hit in six of the seven innings, but stranded eight runners in the loss. MSU scored all three of its runs in the first inning, but was able to hold on for the win.
The Boilermakers scored their two runs on seven hits, but allowed the Spartans three runs on eight hits and two errors. Juniors Andie Varsho and Tori Chiodo tallied two hits apiece to lead the Purdue bats.
Kelly Smith (15-7) struck out seven Boilermakers in the complete game victory for MSU, while sophomore Lexy Moore (5-9) issued seven Ks in five and two thirds innings in the loss. Freshman Lilly Fecho struck out two in an inning and a third of relief work.
Michigan State managed three runs on three hits and an error in the first inning. A single followed by a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt gave the Spartans two runners in scoring position to start the game. A single to left field brought in one run and again put runners at second and third after the throw home. A single up the middle plated both runners to put MSU up 3-0. A strikeout and ground out capped the stanza.
Purdue put two runners on in the bottom of the inning as Varsho led off with a double down the right field line and junior Lindsey Rains was hit by a pitch, but could not bring either home thanks to two strikeouts and an infield grounder.
The Spartans threatened in the second with three singles, but the lead runner tried to score from third on the final hit and was gunned down at the plate by a spot-on throw from Rains in centerfield.
The Boilermakers failed to capitalize on a leadoff double again in the second, but broke through for two runs in the third inning, but left the game-tying runner aboard. After starting the inning with a strikeout, the Boilers loaded the bases to set the table for Chiodo. Sophomore Ashley Burkhardt sent a single into the right center gap, junior Danielle Fletcher walked and senior Maia Monchek was hit by a pitch to set up Chiodo's single up the middle which cut the margin to one at 3-2. A strikeout and fly out left two runners on base.
Junior Kristin Morgan led off the fourth with a single and Monchek posted a two-out single in the fifth, but the Boilermakers could not convert either into a score.
Fecho took over for Moore in the circle with a runner on second and two outs in the sixth and promptly forced a strikeout to end the threat.
The Boilermakers went down in order in the sixth, their lone inning without a baserunner, but the Spartans returned the favor in the seventh.
Varsho came through with her second hit of the day, a single up the middle to lead off the final stanza. The Boilermakers moved her into scoring position with a sacrifice, but a pair of fly balls to left field kept the team from extending the contest.
The Boilermakers (14-21, 2-5 Big Ten) will face off against the Spartans at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Saturday is Greek Day, where patrons will receive $1 admission by wearing their Greek letters, while Sunday has been tabbed as Breast Cancer Awareness day and will feature a pink T-shirt giveaway.